The SitePoint Forums have moved.

You can now find them here.
This forum is now closed to new posts, but you can browse existing content.
You can find out more information about the move and how to open a new account (if necessary) here.
If you get stuck you can get support by emailing forums@sitepoint.com

If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Network Hubs vs Routers

I am contemplating setting up a network between 2 pcs and a mac to share a cable modem and a printer. I'm wondering about the difference between using a router with a firewall as opposed to a network hub and installing software firewalls on each machine. I'm not overly concerned with hacking, but want security that is easy to setup and maintain. Anyone have any thoughts or tips?

In working with Cable/DSL, the advantage is to go with a router. A router acts like a proxy - it functions as the IP address assigned to you by the cable company mapping requests back and forth between the PCs and itself. This isn't the best worded explanation, but it basically allows you to share a single IP with up to 255 PCs, printers, etc...

A hub acts more like a spliter. It still requires each PC to have its own IP address and I believe the cable company charges an extra $5 a month per additional IP.

Models are RT311 ( just 1 port out, you can break it out to a hub ) or a RT314 which is a 4 port version.

The router will take care of assigning non-routable IP's to the client machines...which is pretty good for security..since all the Internet can see is your router. Just make sure your router is configured correctly

Originally posted by westmich A hub acts more like a spliter. It still requires each PC to have its own IP address and I believe the cable company charges an extra $5 a month per additional IP.

Not necessarily.. If you run NAT on one of the machines, it can act as the gateway for all of the other machines. The machines on the inside, would then use unroutable ips (i.e. 192.168.0.x)

This means you only use that one ip, and you're still sharing the connection.

I recommend a hub. It's MUCH less expensive than a router, and perfect for small projects like home networking with 3-4 computers. If this were a corporate office, I'd suggest something more substantial.. like a router.

as an alternative to both, try a switch. In effect, a switch IS a router, but it is cheaper. There is a speed issue here also. Regarding the questions about the firewall, in my opinion, coming from my knowledge of what we have in effect where I work (in a government agency) you cannot have too many firewalls. Have one in the switch and one on each of your machines. Just a thought.